A Virgin Atlantic flight bound for New York from London made an emergency return to the United Kingdom earlier today.
Virgin Atlantic flight VS3 had almost completed the transatlantic crossing when it declared an emergency, squawking transponder code 7700.
Virgin Atlantic VS3 London-New York
Flight VS3, operated by an Airbus A350-1000, had conducted a departure from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) at 08:51 UTC on 6 March.
The flight was a scheduled long haul service to New York JFK International Airport. Following departure, the flight had proceeded normally, climbing to FL390 for the transatlantic crossing.
The flight had almost approached the Canadian coast when flight crew declared an emergency and carried out a turnaround.
Unconfirmed reports have suggested that the flight may have encountered severe turbulence. Flight data shows that the aircraft carried out a descent from cruising flight to FL290.
A return to Manchester Airport was conducted, and a general emergency was declared following the return. The operating crew squawked transponder code 7700 at 16:42 UTC after crossing the coast inbound to Manchester.
Reports suggest that the emergency was declared due to a hydraulic problem and related steering issues.
Video footage of the aircraft’s arrival in Manchester show the aircraft’s landing gear doors still in the deployed position, suggestive of a hydraulic failure. Upon landing at Manchester Airport, the aircraft was met by emergency vehicles as a precaution.
Virgin Atlantic are yet to confirm the problems encountered by flight VS3.
The aircraft conducting the VS3 rotation from London Heathrow was an Airbus A350-1000, registered G-VPOP. This is a 5.8 year old widebody aircraft belonging to the carrier Virgin Atlantic.
It has been in operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in August 2019. The aircraft bears the airline name ‘Mamma Mia’.
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